HARTFORD– State Rep. Al Adinolfi’s (R-103) bill proposal to increase penalties on drunk drivers with children in the car was unanimously voted out of the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

“I am proud that we came to a bipartisan agreement on this very important piece of legislation,” Adinolfi said in a press release after Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee meeting. “My goal this session before I retire is to see the Governor sign this bill into law.”

Adinolfi during his time in office has been able to work with members from across the aisle and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to pass legislation that protects our roadways from drunk drivers. This year’s bill, Senate Bill 365, An Act Concerning Child Endangerment While Driving Intoxicated and the Limit Under Which to Administer a Test for Blood Alcohol Level, would increase penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence with a child in the car.

“Mothers Against Drunk Driving would like to commend Rep. Adinolfi for his steadfast and continuous support of drunk driving legislation that has made Connecticut’s roads safer for everyone,” Skip Church, a volunteer for MADD CT said in the release. “Passage of Senate Bill 365 would be a fitting retirement gift for a representative who has done so much for the cause over the years.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31 percent) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. In that same year 209 children were killed due to drunk drivers.

“I have heard too many stories over the years about a parent or guardian jumping into a car with their child after drinking and getting into a serious accident,” Adinolfi said in the release. “Any parent who decides to get behind the wheel intoxicated with their child in the car should suffer the consequences.”

For this bill to become law, both the House and Senate will need to vote on this measure before the last day of session on May 4.